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Show Funds Allocated for Burrj Trail Engineering Study Although the ultimate reconstruction and paving of the "Burr" is still in question, Governor Norman Bangerter announced last week the release of $600,000 for an engineering study to be made after recent damage to the controversial Burr Trail in south-eastern Utah. "The switchbacks located in Capitol Reef National Park were completely washed away making the road impassable," stated Bangerter. "Weather damage this year, has made it necessary to begin further work. The engineering studies will complete the design of the grading and drainage systems necessary a to improve the. road whellier or not Ihe'Burr Trail is paved." According to a spokesman in the state capitol, the permanent Community Impact Board has entered into a contract with Garfield County allocating the $600,000 that had been appropriated in the 198S General Session. The contract states that areas undergoing improvement will be the road from Boulder to Capitol Reef National Park west boundry line and the Capitol Reef National Park east border to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area west Boundary line. The spokesman stated that the congress is still considering a funding request made, by Utah Senator Jake Garn to pay the federal share of paving the Burr Trail. At an emotion packed meeting May 23, in Escalante, Bangerter and representatives of the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and other interested government people present various aspects of the engineering,. s construction, and funding of the trail. Over 400 interested and highly vocal local residents and leaders voiced their concern over the delay in funding and construction commencement. The funding for the trail features two main alternatives. The most commonly supported alternative, 1A would cost an estimated $21 million and would include the construction of bridges over Deer Creek, The Gulch, Horse Creek, Muley Twist, Halls Creek and Bullfrog Creek. The second alternative which is endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration, would cost an estimated $37 million which takes in considerably longer bridges accounting for most of the extra money. One cogent point was made "by Garfield County Sheriff Vic Mid dleton whose concern is the necessity of traveling an additional 235 miles to take care of law enforcement duties or injury problems when the Burr Trail is closed in bad weather., . j a;J Some proponents of a paved Burr' Trail have mentioned the benefit to tourists, while other proponents have said "what about us, the residents?" According to Garfield County Commissioner Guy Thompson, "either way, with or without the paving, the ultimate decisions will have a decided impact on Garfield County and ultimately all of southern Utah." |
